notes from across the pond

Hillary Clinton was a little more measured than her Democratic colleague, John Edwards.

Hillary Clinton:
Tremendous opportunity to take stock of where we all are.
National responsibility.
Most directly reflects all in south LA and to extent MS, etc.

Threefold disaster, Katrina, Rita and the destruction of levees.
One primary reasons your government has to come and fix what broke.

I was privileged to speak at Dillard back in May.
Outlined 10 point plan.
Starts with old fashioned idea, someone directly in charge.
We’re going to keep pushing, the Wurther bill in the Senate.
We have to figure out how to override the President’s threatened veto.
Lots of good projects important for entire country, but not just LA.
LA’s production oil and gas is essential to turn on the lights and power the US.
Not enough recognition of that.
I’m taking applications for a Tzar.

Soledad O’Brien:
Are you willing to commit $40-50bn to build levees?

Hillary Clinton:
I think we should build the levees.
It’s shocking other countries have figured it out and we haven’t.
Part fatalistic attitude taking hold in DC.
There’s a long list.
Failure to invest in infrastructure crucial to our citizens.
Independent experts should evaluate what corps does.

We act like we’re not a rich country?
We can’t get everyone healthcare
We don’t have enough police

There are so many important priorities
They are smart investments
The right energy policy would put millions of people back to work.
Coastal restoration would put LA back to work

Soledad O’Brien:
What are you going to do to protect the wetlands?

Hillary O’Brien:
A lot of people ask why did I vote with Landrieu on OCS.
Shouldn’t it be shared with entire country?

My answer was that when 1 part of country hurts, the rest must respond.
e.g. 9/11
A lot of problems with way done, but here we have revenue source that should be helping to restore wetlands and coast.
Wurther Act will help by closing M Geaux, but it’s whether we can get Bush administration to let plans go forward.
Need to cut loose appropriations cos not reaching people who need them.

Soledad O’Brien:
What grade would you give FEMA now?

Hillary:
What happened with FEMA is national tragedy.
FEMA was working in 1990s.
Response was totally inadequate.
Give it incomplete grade now.
Was certainly getting F
Still woefully underperforming.
Wanted to pull FEMA out Dept. Homeland Security.
Wrote letter at time.
FEMA had broader set responsibilities.
Needed to report directly to President.
What happened, moving FEMA into bureaucracy created confusion about lines of authority.
Some people given responsibility they couldn’t cope with.
FEMA is clearest example of that.
Want it to be independent.
Must have some relevant experience in emergency management.
President issued signing statement saying he wouldn’t agree to hire FEMA director with relevant experience.
Must rebuild emergency response unit cos will see more and more natural disasters.
Must prepare for another terrorist attack.
Need to mitigate disasters in beginning.
Upgrade FEMA’s ability to respond.

Soledad O’Brien:
Cut red tape.
Nonesensical redtape.
Can’t figure it out.

Hillary Clinton:
You couldn’t make this stuff up?
Mayor Houma telling me he had all these FEMA trailers, but couldn’t find anyone to let him into them.
Therefore, broke into them!
Couldn’t think what else to do.

Finally, got 10% matching requirement waived under Democratic majority.
Hear stories like this all the time.
e.g. Project Work Sheet - meant to discourage you collecting money.
There’s is no explanation.
I can’t even explain it.
Asked for transcript one of the trials.
A lot of the career FEMA people were just as bewildered and upset as you were.
Cutting redtape no small thing.
Still seems much to cumbersome.

Soledad O’Brien:
2 big insurers have raised rates 50%. Removed wind and hail. Don’t encourage people to come back.
Would you be willing to pressure insurance industry?

Hillary Clinton:
NY and FL having same problems.
Inquired vigorously.
Insurance industry have done long term projections of weather.
Decided will see long term increase in storms.
Therefore, will charge higher rate.
Or will take out wind, hail, flood, water.
Hard look needed.
Feds bear lots cost, particularly for floods and disaster relief.
End up paying billions and billions.
Should have much clearer idea what we expect from private insurance.
And what is position of Feds?
FL and I will put forward idea for catastrophic insurance.

Soledad O’Brien:
Many feel Mississippi got better service. Do you agree?

Money flowed more easily and with fewer obstacles.
Disproportionate amount of money going to Mississippi based on no. people affected.
Whatever reasons, we should get beyond that and help everyone.
Need to do good evaluations as we go along.
People living in FEMA trailers a month after FEds knew is ridiculous.
It’s clear need is much greater in LA.

Includes whole south LA.
Must explain to rest country people live south NOLA.
Don’t begrudge people in Mississippi, just want people in LA to get equal treatment.

Soledad O’Brien:
Are you aware of teachers lawsuit?

Hillary Clinton:
Has to be concerted effort to get schools up and running.
Many teachers would like to be rehired.
Has to be managed.

Know Paul Vallas’ work.
Has great track record.
Long way from having enough teachers and facilities to take care of all students here.

Advocated Gulf Coast Corps.
2 sets of responsibilities
i) Getting professionals back in - police, firefighters
ii) 2nd group responsible for rebuilding - Charity Hospital must be rebuilt

More than enough work to be done
School district needs help in gauging what kind of personnel needed

Soledad O’Brien:
Please wrap up.

Hillary Clinton:
I will continue to do whatever I can as a Senator.
Strongly believe you deserve support country.
Will be one of my highest priorities as President
Should be hope, recovery and results.
We need to start delivering.